For years, Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite has been the best Kindle for most people over the standard Kindle without adjectives. It was the first to receive a front-lit, high-definition screen; waterproofing; and USB-C… the list goes on. But today, Amazon announced a new $100 Kindle that includes nearly all the best features of the latest Paperwhite for $40 less. The new device is already available for pre-order and will be released on October 12th.
Compared to the previous generation Kindle, the new 11th generation model increases the pixel density from 167 PPI to 300 PPI, which is on par with other Kindles from Amazon. This makes the text noticeably clearer and prettier. Storage has been doubled from 8GB to 16GB, which you won’t notice if you mostly read text, but is more useful if you listen to a lot of audiobooks. The micro USB charging port is gone, replaced by a modern USB-C port that will allow you to charge your device using the same connector you use for most modern laptops, phones, tablets and game consoles.
The new Kindle is $10 more expensive than the one it replaces, and the price goes up to $120 if you want a version without ads on the lock screen. A version of the Kindl e Kids with an extended two-year warranty, one of three colorful covers, and a one-year subscription to the Amazon Kids+ service is also $120 (no ads for kids are shown by default, but Amazon says it will show ads). if you exit Kindle Kids mode).
The Paperwhite still has some important advantages over the basic Kindle. The front light for its larger 6.8-inch screen uses 17 LEDs instead of the Kindle’s four for smoother, more even illumination. The color temperature of its front light can be adjusted if you prefer a warmer look. The Paperwhite Signature Edition includes up to 32GB of storage, an auto-brightness sensor, and wireless charging. Best of all, all Paperwhite models are IPX8 waterproof, making them ideal for use in the bathroom, pool or beach.
For most people, these improvements are probably still worth the extra $40. But this upgrade to a basic Kindle brings it in line with where the Paperwhite was a couple of years ago, and for people looking to save money (or people who are buying a second Kindle for a kid), it’s good to see it’s such a major upgrade.